British Politics
Political Parties, Elections, & Interest Groups
British Political PartiesLABOUR PARTYo Party emerged in response to new voter demands created by the
Industrial Revolutiono Traditionally the working class supports this partyo Tony Blair & Gordon Brown were both Labour Party Prime
Ministerso Largest Party on the “Left”o Gordon Brown is the party’s current leadero Won the National Elections in 1997, 2001, & 2005o Strong political and financial support from Labor Unions
British Political PartiesCONSERVATIVES PARTYo Generally supports a market-controlled economy, privatization of industry, less
involvement with the European Union, and fewer social welfare programs. o Largest Party of the “Right”, a.k.a “Tories”o Traditionally the middle class supports this partyo Margaret Thatcher & John Major were both Conservative Party Prime
Ministerso Party characterized by noblesse oblige; viewed as ‘elitist’o David Cameron is the current party leadero Dominant party in Britain between WWII & 1997 o Traditional/One-Nation Wing – wants the country ruled by the elites and
generally supports British membership in the European Union o Thatcherite Wing – wants to roll back government controls, move to a full free
market economy, and are “Euroskeptics”
British Political Parties
British Political PartiesLIBERAL DEMOCRATS PARTYo Party formed as an alliance between the Liberals & Social
Democrats o Originally known as the “Whigs”o Serves as a strong party in the ‘middle’ of the political spectrumo Nick Clegg is the current party leadero Has campaigned for proportional representations and a US Style
Bill of Rightso In the 1980s they received as much as 26% of the vote, but only
earned 3.5% of the seats in Parliament o Have taken strong stands on the environment, health and
education
British Political Parties
BRITISH ELECTIONS
BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS• The only national officials that British voters
select are Members of Parliament (MP)• Elections must be held every 5 years – but the
Prime Minister (PM) can call them earlier• Technically the Monarchy dissolved Parliament –
but it is first requested by the Prime Minister (important power of the PM)
• The Prime Minister is not elected as Prime Minister – rather as a Member of Parliament
BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS• Parliamentary elections are based on a Single-
Member District Plurality Voting System (SMDP)– Each electoral district average 65,000 voters– Candidate with the most votes, wins the seat• “First-past-the post” “Winner-take-all”
– British parties select a candidate to run for each district
– Candidates do not have to live in the districts they represent
– Party leaders run in “safe districts” where their party usually wins
British Regional Governments• Through devolution, regional governments and their
unique election styles have emerged.– Ex.) Good Friday Agreement (1998) – Britain agreed to
give Northern Ireland a regional government• Regional governments in Northern Ireland, Scotland,
and Wales have proportional representation– National Assembly for Wales– Scottish Parliament– Northern Ireland Assembly
BRITISH INTEREST GROUPS• Britain has well-established interest
groups who are autonomous from the government that compete to influence policy– Interest Group Pluralism
– Ex.) Trade Union Congress (TUC) • Britain also has Quangos (quasi-
autonomous non-governmental organizations) – policy advisory boards appointed by the government.– Neo-corporatism – where interest
groups take the lead and dominate government policy creation.
Network Rail owns rail infrastructure – including railway tracks, signals,
tunnels, bridges, level crossings, and stations.
Britain’s Trade Union Congress
THE END